Hoffman: Carr becomes major player with purchase of stock contracting company

Brett Hoffman

Pete Carr, who lives in Dallas and boards his broncs and bulls at an Athens ranch, is a successful stock contractor in his own right.

But after purchasing the Classic Rodeo Co. from longtime producer Scotty Lovelace, Carr will offer rodeo committees an amazing lineup of bucking stock.

Carr purchased Lovelace’s company Feb. 21. The deal brought together 31 animals that bucked at the 2012 National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, according to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

“I think we made a huge jump in the food chain,” Carr said. “It certainly raises the level of what we have to offer rodeo committees.”

Carr’s combined schedule means producing 33 shows in 13 states this season. The company’s schedule includes Oklahoma’s Richest Rodeo in Guymon; New Mexico’s only Wrangler Million Dollar Tour stop in Lovington; the Navajo Nation’s famous Fourth of July PRCA Rodeo in Window Rock, Ariz., and the Texas Stampede in Allen.

The merger should make Carr more competitive as he vies for new rodeos.

“I once heard it said, ‘You are either eating dust or making dust,’” Carr said. “I think we were getting a little complacent. I want to start making dust.” But while purchasing the new company was an emotional high for Carr, he also had a huge disappointment last week. His prize bareback bronc, MGM Deuces Night, died Feb. 23 after suffering an episode of colic at the Elgin Veterinary Hospital.MGM Deuces Night was the 2012 PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year.

“Losing a horse like that definitely stings,” Carr said.

■ Walker riding tough: While competing at the NFR in December, Mary Walker of Ennis grabbed attention when she clinched the world barrel racing title after earning $146,941 at the 10-day show, the most of 120 competitors.

Walker now is on a mission to win gold buckle No. 2. While riding her high-powered quarter horse, Latte, she got a step closer by winning $14,593 and the title at the San Angelo Stock Show Rodeo.